Friday, March 25, 2011
No Pain, No Gain?
Must we suffer pain before we gain? Professional body builders believe it to be true, tearing up their muscles while doing weights and letting the muscles grow even bigger after they heal.
Must we suffer pain financially before we wake up to create our financial plans? Many Singaporeans will not want to suffer financially but without planning, they will suffer the pain and anguish of a financial storm in their lives.
We must recognise that we, ourselves, are the main source of our ability to create our wealth. We are the most important asset which can generate all the wealth we want. I am sure given time and the capability to create multi million dollars portfolios, most of us will be able to do just that.
However, what will happen to that ability to create the multi millio dollar portfolio if you became disabled, critically ill or become mentally incapacitated after a freak accident like being whacked in the head by a stray golf ball?
The pain of failing to realise one’s dreams will be devastating to anyone with high ambitions. So may I bring your attention to look at creating a plan that will cushion the impact of such potential painful incidents.
Meeting with our financial adviser like us will give you the peace of mind that you are looking for. We help our clients achieve their financial security and success by giving them personalized financial advice.
Nobody plans to fail, they fail because they failed to plan.
Don’t let the pain of spending a few hours each year with your personal financial advisor, deter you from setting your financial plans in place and reviewing your goals periodically to ensure they will materialise.
No pain, no gain? You bet.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Failed To Claim From Your Critical Illness Insurance Policy?
Recently, I came across friends and relatives who suffered some form of critical illness. I guess as we age, more people will fall ill sooner or later as our sedentary lifestyle will affect our health eventually, for the worst.
Some of them have insurance coverage while some had inadequate insurance coverage.
Most frustrating of all is when they have insurance coverage, they could not claim against their policies due to technical reasons.
One of them is when the illness falls outside the definition of the illness by the insurance companies.
Since 1 July 2003, all the insurance companies in Singapore have agreed to follow a standardised definition of critical illnesses.
Do not hesitate to use this definition to check if you have been fairly treated.
Just give me a call at 63738797 if you need independent financial advice.
7 Tips To Being More Resourceful
Have you noticed the great divide for entrepreneurs in today’s marketplace? There seems to be a bevy of entrepreneurs who are just trying to get by, unconsciously trapped in tough times and then bringing that reality to their business and life results.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are entrepreneurs who view today’s economy as an extreme opportunity to create significant wealth and have the business results to show for it.
The first group of entrepreneurs I call resource less, while the second group of entrepreneurs I call resourceful. But what you may not understand is that lack of money or financial results is ONLY a symptom of underlying issues.
If you can teach yourself daily to move from a place of resource less to resourceful, unlimited possibilities for your business income growth and your life are available to you right now.
I was thinking over the weekend about my own business journey and the continual habits I practice that distinguish my ability to move from a mental state of resource less to resourcefulness. As my students know, I struggled my first few years in business and almost went bust–this truly was when I lived in a state of being resource less.
However, when I began to learn how to tap into my unlimited potential daily, I consciously began putting daily attention and effort into strengthening my ability to be successful. Not only has my business grown between 50 percent and 100 percent each year in the past six years, but I continue to see how I am in training to move my company into 100 million-plus in annual revenue.
I always say, “Your revenue can only grow as much as you do!” So, how much are you growing these days?
All of the habits listed below have been learned from some of the most legendary and successful entrepreneurs of our time. If I can learn and profit from them, you can, too. Here is my short list for your review:
1. Movement. Tony Robbins teaches that one of the easiest ways to change your emotions and your mental outlook is through movement. I prided myself on being a yogi for a long period of time, yet my significant shifts in resourcefulness came with adding in cross-training, too, such as jogging a few times a week.
I believe it is impossible to have big business success and an extraordinary quality of life if you are not physically conditioning yourself for strength, resilience, tenacity and being resourceful. Every once in a while, my team will catch me going for a mid-day run during the week.
I do this to reach for an instant upgrade in my perspective and extra support in helping me move through a certain obstacle/opportunity that may have been presented to me that day.
I know I am guaranteed to have a shift in emotions and perspective post run that has a huge impact on how I manage the rest of my day and show up as a leader for my team. Got movement in your daily or weekly routine? It could be anything that sings to you, but I promise it works.
2. Questions. Just in the past few years, I learned to ask myself better questions consistently. Before, when things seemed to go off track in business, I would unconsciously move into a state of being resource less. I would ask myself questions such as, “What is wrong with me?” “Why didn’t I figure this out quicker to avoid this happening?” and “How bad is this?”
With these questions came some pretty challenging emotions and meanings I created about certain experiences that did not empower me as an entrepreneur and certainly didn’t help my business thrive.
What really shifted my ability to be resourceful as a business owner was when I began to train myself to ask questions such as, “What is good about this?” “What is great about this?” “What is the joy in this?” “What is the love in this?” and “What is the adventure in this?” And, wow, my emotions and my meanings for challenging business experiences completely shifted.
I began to reach a level of certainty regarding the unpredictability that comes with being an entrepreneur. No matter what unfolds with my business, I have enough “WINS” on the table to know deep within myself that something challenging will ultimately be shifted into some great opportunity for growth for myself and my company.
This experience of what most entrepreneurs unconsciously try to avoid helps me build an incredible reserve of resourcefulness. How are you building your reserve today?
3. Music. Yep, music. I have my little iPod nano that sits easily on my shirt collar, and I love reaching for inspiration and motivation to help me tap into the unlimited well of possibilities–in essence, to move beyond myself. I love to listen to new music and create new memories to it. I also love to reach for older music at times to reminisce or even help me move through challenging emotions.
Just yesterday I was listening to The Best of Leonard Cohen while doing a few lazy Sunday afternoon yoga stretches on my mat, and this album reminded me of a very specific time as a young, 18-year-old fashion model in New York City and Paris.
Reliving these memories was comforting and enlightening, as life has changed so much since those days. What a true enjoyment to have music provide such a powerful refuge, energy shift and support to transformation. How do you get your groove on?
4. CANI. My hubby and life partner Andor and I have lived by this Japanese saying ever since we first met: Constant And Never-Ending Improvement. Extraordinarily successful entrepreneurs are always seeking to learn and grow.
They understand that if they are constantly nourishing their mind, they are automatically upgrading themselves and giving themselves a competitive edge. You know the saying “knowledge is power.” It’s true. It has been significant and inspiring for me to watch the rate of growth of close business colleagues who understand and embrace CANI.
Funnily, in today’s marketplace, the entrepreneurs who practice CANI are the ones being most rewarded with fantastic business growth because we are officially in the information economy. And every time you upgrade your skill, knowledge and business-profit toolkit, the more you are guaranteed to skyrocket your business and life growth.
I pride myself on going to two seminars a year, but this year I will go to at least four and consume twice as many business books as usual to ensure I am practicing CANI to its fullest potential at a time when the marketplace is changing so quickly.
5. Affirmations. This is one of the first tools of being resourceful I learned many years ago, and it works. I have daily affirmations that I have said for so many years, they are etched on my blood cells–REALLY. If you don’t have daily affirmations, I list a few here below for your review.
You are welcome to take them and adapt them to your liking, but most important, you must plan to repeat them twice a day.
Vanessa’s Affirmations:
“Every day and in every way, I am getting better and better.”
“I am healthy, wealthy and wise.”
“It is fun and easy to be successful.”
“I am powerful and profitable.”
6. Forgive 70 times seven. I have learned in business that things may not always go the way we hope, be it with our vendors, clients, employees or even key partnerships. What I have also learned is that it is essential for me to practice forgiveness, just like Jesus said: “Forgive 70 times seven” or even “Love your enemies.”
In my recent years of bigger business success, I have weathered new storms in core business relationships changing. During these key business transitions, I have not always felt my generosity or loyalty in relationships reciprocated.
What I have learned is that relationships are always in transition, especially when the marketplace is changing so quickly. And I have also learned how important it is to bless those whom you feel have wronged you.
If I am not saintly enough to love my enemies, for the sake of my own health and happiness, I can practice loving myself enough to let them go peacefully in my heart.
7. Prayer and meditation. Prayer conquers worry and ultimately puts me in a state of absolute resourcefulness because I am reminded that I am not doing it alone. It has been documented that a habit of prayer can instantly relieve worry, fear and stress. Prayer also gives me a zest for life, more life and a larger, richer, more satisfying life.
I find having a practice of daily meditation helps me make consistent contact with the divine. I have a new Platinum client whom I am really excited to be working with who meditates twice daily and has an amazing energy about her.
In a recent conversation, she was telling me about her meditation practice and jokingly shared that she tells other people they don’t have to go anywhere to get what they want in business or life; all they have to do is just sit there in meditation.
I believe there is something powerful about making conscious contact with God daily, which catapults us into being extraordinarily resourceful in all our daily affairs, including our business.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Value of Advice
| Research conducted in 2006 by the Australian Securities Exchange has shown that over 46% of Australians, or 7.3 million, own shares either directly or indirectly through managed funds. This means that Australians have one of the highest percentages of share ownership in the world. Alarming however, was the statistic which showed that 17% of investors depended on newspapers for advice regarding their investments and a further 16% relied on friends and family. Only 16% relied on the advice of a professional! |  |
| Investing without sound advice is like flying blind. Newspapers and magazines mainly report past events and their content is frequently written to sell additional copies. Friends and family will always rely on their own past experiences when making financial and investment recommendations and you have to ask yourself whether such advice is truly objective. The old saying “past returns are no indication of future performance” is more true than ever in today’s complex financial and investment markets. A good financial planner can help you reach your financial or investment goals but in the context of YOUR specific needs and objectives. In general, the value of advice lies in the following areas: |
| • Addressing urgent needs – Before any long-term financial strategies can be undertaken it is essential to address issues (the obstacles and traps) which could prevent you from reaching your objectives. Aspects such as cash flows, debt, estate planning and insurance are just as important as the type of investment or the returns. • Identifying strategic opportunities – By understanding your personal circumstances and financial goals, a good adviser will be able to identify legislative and tax opportunities which you can take advantage of to maximize the chance of achieving your objectives. |  |
| • Planning for the future – The next step is to “run the numbers”, or in other words, to model your circumstances in as many different scenarios as possible to identify the strategy that helps you to reach your goal. Your previous experiences, knowledge and attitudes towards the myriad of different areas of financial markets play a key role in determining which strategy is best for you. • Mentoring and guidance – Financial and investment markets today are constantly being flooded with new and ‘improved products’. A good financial adviser is there to help you separate the wheat from the chaff and provide guidance which does not result in you becoming the next Fincorp or Westpoint victim. • Staying the course – Deciding to take control of your future and finances is one thing – staying the course until completion to reap the rewards is another. A good financial adviser will be there to provide counsel and advice when your circumstances change or when you want to consider alternative strategies. |
Monday, March 21, 2011
Financial Planning Process
Financial Planning is a process and NOT a product. Its purpose is to identify strategies which are designed to help you in achieving your goals and objectives. For many clients this may seem overwhelming but there is no need for them to attempt to resolve this alone when experienced professionals can assist. During your initial consultation, your financial planner will: |  |
1. Collect detailed information Your financial planner will guide you through a fact-find and collect detailed, factual and up-to-date information about your finances, investments, superannuation, insurance, estate planning and any other relevant matters. The financial planner has to act as a detective – they will ask you many detailed questions about matters which may seem trivial or unrelated. This is essential as it allows the planner to identify anything which may prevent you from achieving your financial objectives. |
 | The next step is for us to analyse the information you have given us, identify appropriate strategies, conduct financial modelling and finally prepare a Statement of Advice.
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A Statement of Advice is your road-map to achieving your financial objectives. It will detail your current circumstances, what you would like to achieve, how we believe you can realise these goals and what you need to do to implement the recommendations. Once ready, we will meet with you to present the SOA and explain the strategies. If necessary, at this meeting we will also undertake steps to implement the advice. If you agree to undertake the recommended strategies we will assist you with completing any documentation required and will lodge them on your behalf. We will monitor the process and keep you updated on progress until we are confident that the strategy has been fully and correctly implemented. The last step of the financial planning process is just as important as the strategy itself. 6. Monitor, review and revise the financial plan and strategy At Critique we place particular emphasis on this step and strive to meet with you at least annually to discuss whether the strategy is still appropriate and what changes need to be made to ensure that you are still on target to achieving financial security. Remember, a Statement of Advice is a living document that needs to be frequently updated to keep it inline with your circumstances and changes in legislation and financial markets. |
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